Bits ABOUT ME

My Grandfather Gillon had a little "Sydney Silky" (as called back then in the 1940's), and every time my Dad would go over there it would nip at his heels and Dad hated that dog.  Needs training, he would say.   Our property and my Grandparents' property backed onto one another, covering an area between two streets.   We had stables, where Dad kept pacing horses, and he would drive  them back and forth from Elwick Racecourse attached to their jinkers.   We also had a large vegie garden and Dad had his chickens and Mum had her bantams.   So I grew up amid animals and a city/country life.  Our property is now a concrete parking lot for Woolworths and our house is a shop and my Grandparents' house is completely gone.   Progress they call it !!!
  Dad had two red Kelpies that he showed and dearly loved, especially Flash.   He talked about him until the day he died.   The bitch was named Flame.   Sadly, both died with distemper and Dad never owned a show dog again.  Back then there were no vaccinations.    I don't think he ever got over it.

 Dad continued his interest in the shows and kept, trained and showed other peoples' dogs and often advised Judges, at their request, while serving as a Ring Steward.

  He also had an Australian Terrier named Snoop and I watched her litter be born in amongst some hay in the stable.   That's how it was back in the 1940's.  She had 3 puppies, two were sold and they kept a boy, named Ricky.   He was later re-homed and we just had Snoop then.   She was the best ratter and definitely earned her keep.   Dad bragged a lot about her too.   Here I am with my brothers at the old place with Flash and Flame, and a few photos of Flash and Flame by themselves.

That is Flash on the left and Flame on the right with myself and my brothers.

This is Flash in the top photo and Flame bottom left and Snoop and her baby Ricky (Australian Terriers) circa 1947.

The next picture is of me at the Royal Hobart Showgrounds with my first show dog....Colliehaven Regal Duke.   Circa 1958.   Picture take by the Mercury Newspaper.

Next time my involvement with Silky Terriers and 26 years spent in the USA.